Matrix metalloproteinase-13, NF-κB p65 and interleukin-1ß are associated with the severity of knee osteoarthritis.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent disease, especially in the elderly. The present study examined the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), NF-κBp65 and interleukin (IL)-lß in the synovial tissues of KOA patients and the role of MMP-13 and the NF-κBp65 signalling pathway in KOA pathogenesis. A total of 100 KOA patients were enrolled in our hospital from December 2015 to December 2017 and were classified into either a mild KOA group (Outerbridge grade 1 and 2) or a severe KOA group (Outerbridge grade 3 and 4). Non-OA patients were included as controls. Synovial tissues from patients in both groups were collected for detection of the mRNA and protein expression of MMP-13, NF-κBp65 and IL-lß. Synovial tissue slices were subjected to haematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry (SP method). Cartilage tissues were observed under a light microscope after Safranin O-fast green staining. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blot analyses demonstrated that the expression of MMP-13, NF-κBp65 and IL-lß in the mild and severe groups were substantially upregulated compared with the control group (all P<0.05). A positive correlation between MMP-13 and NF-κBp65 expression in the KOA synovial tissues was identified (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry revealed that the expression of MMP-13 and NF-κBp65 was related to the severity of KOA (MMP-13: severe, 92.54%; moderate, 76.52%; control: 32.14%; and NF-κBp65: severe, 85.56%; moderate, 48.12%; control: 28.32%). This evidence indicated that the severity of KOA was related to MMP-13 and NF-κBp65 expression. The NF-κB signalling pathway may be activated during OA progression, which could upregulate the expression of MMP-13 and IL-1ß and accelerate the deterioration of articular cartilage.

Effect of fertilizers on Cd uptake of Amaranthus hypochondriacus, a high biomass, fast growing and easily cultivated potential Cd hyperaccumulator.

In a greenhouse pot experiment, we assessed the phytoextraction potential for Cd of three amaranth cultivars (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. Cvs. K112, R104, and K472) and the effect of application of N, NP, and NPK fertilizer on Cd uptake of the three cultivars from soil contaminated with 5 mg kg(-1) Cd. All three amaranth cultivars had high levels of Cd concentration in their tissues, which ranged from 95.1 to 179.1 mg kg(-1) in leaves, 58.9 to 95.4 mg kg(-1) in stems, and 62.4 to 107.2 mg kg(-1) in roots, resulting in average bioaccumulation factors ranging from 17.7 to 29.7. Application of N, NP, or NPK fertilizers usually increased Cd content in leaves but decreased Cd content in stem and root. Fertilizers of N or NP combined did not substantially increase dry biomass of the 3 cultivars, leading to a limited increment of Cd accumulation. NPK fertilizer greatly increased dry biomass, by a factor of 2.7-3.8, resulting in a large increment of Cd accumulation. Amaranth cultivars (K112, R104, and K472) have great potential in phytoextraction of Cd contaminated soil. They have the merits of high Cd content in tissues, high biomass, easy cultivation and little effect on Cd uptake by fertilization.

[Risk factors of cognitive impairment after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the risk factors of cognitive impairment after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG). METHODS: A total of 102 patients [male: 82, age: (65.7 ± 7.1) years] undergoing OPCABG in our hospital between January 2009 and December 2010 were divided into postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) group and non-POCD group by the MMSE questionnaire survey conducted at 7 days pre- and post-operation respectively. RESULTS: The incidence of POCD was 48.0% (49/102). Multivariate logistic stepwise regression analysis showed: advanced age (OR = 1.32, 95%CI: 1.10 - 1.46, P = 0.002), smoking (OR = 1.26, 95%CI: 1.18 - 1.32, P = 0.001), hypertension (OR = 1.66, 95%CI: 1.36 - 1.78, P = 0.023), diabetes (OR = 1.62, 95%CI: 1.02 - 2.84, P = 0.032), stroke (OR = 3.32, 95%CI: 1.68 - 6.49, P < 0.001), mitral regurgitation (OR = 1.48, 95%CI: 1.26 - 1.89, P < 0.001), and time of wall clamp (OR = 4.84, 95%CI: 1.08 - 7.28, P < 0.001) were independent risk factors of POCD. CONCLUSION: Advanced age, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, mitral regurgitation, and prolonged time of wall clamp are major risk factors for POCD in patients undergoing OPCABG.

Biodegradation of bensulfuron-methyl and its effect on bacterial community in paddy soils.

Bensulfuron-methyl (BSM) is a new kind of sulfonylurea herbicide widely used to control broad-leaf weeds in rice paddies. The aim of this work was to study BSM biodegradation in paddy soils with BSM-degrading bacteria Bacillus megaterium L1 and Brevibacterium sp. BH and its effect on the structures of soil bacterial community. More than 90 % of BSM could be degraded in paddy soils with 0.0355 mg kg⁻¹ BSM concentration. Addition of BSM-degrading bacterial strains Bacillus megaterium L1 into BSM contaminated paddy soil could have the half-life time of BSM compared to treatment without Bacillus megaterium L1 inoculation. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and principle component analysis indicated that the diversity of the soil microbial community structure changed along with the addition of BSM, which recovered at the end of the experiment (5 weeks). Addition of BSM-degrading bacteria Bacillus megaterium L1 enriched the diversity of soil microbial community structure in paddy soils. This study provides information on the biodegradation of BSM and BSM's influences on the soil bacteria microbial community structures.

The efficacy and safety of melatonin in concurrent chemotherapy or radiotherapy for solid tumors: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Recently, melatonin has been associated with cancer both in vitro and in vivo. However, the value of melatonin in the treatment of cancer remains disputable. Hence, we performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of melatonin in solid tumor cancer patients and observed its effect on tumor remission, 1-year survival, and side effects due to radiochemotherapy. METHODS: An electronic search was conducted using the databases Pubmed, Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane library, and CNKI, from inception to November 2011. Trials using melatonin as adjunct treatment concurrent with chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer were included. Pooled relative risk (RR) for the tumor remission, 1-year survival, and radiochemotherapy-related side effects were calculated using the software Revman 5.0. RESULTS: The search strategy identified 8 eligible RCTs (n = 761), all of which studied solid tumor cancers. The dosage of melatonin used in the 8 included RCTs was 20 mg orally, once a day. Melatonin significantly improved the complete and partial remission (16.5 vs. 32.6%; RR = 1.95, 95% CI, 1.49-2.54; P < 0.00001) as well as 1-year survival rate (28.4 vs. 52.2%; RR = 1.90; 95% CI, 1.28-2.83; P = 0.001), and dramatically decreased radiochemotherapy-related side effects including thrombocytopenia (19.7 vs. 2.2%; RR = 0.13; 95% CI, 0.06-0.28; P < 0.00001), neurotoxicity (15.2 vs. 2.5%; RR = 0.19; 95% CI, 0.09-0.40; P < 0.0001), and fatigue (49.1 vs. 17.2%; RR = 0.37; 95% CI, 0.28-0.48; P < 0.00001). Effects were consistent across different types of cancer. No severe adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Melatonin as an adjuvant therapy for cancer led to substantial improvements in tumor remission, 1-year survival, and alleviation of radiochemotherapy-related side effects.

[Effects of open heart surgery under normothermic and hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass on cytokines and complements].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the detrimental influence of normothermic and hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass during open heart surgery on cytokines and complements. METHOD: Forty patients with congenital or rheumatic heart disease were randomized into 2 groups to receive normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB, study group, n=20) or hypothermic CPB (control group, n=20). Venous blood samples were respectively collected at scheduled time points preoperatively, at the end of CPB, and 1,4,7,14 d postoperatively to examine the level of interleukin (IL)-2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, C3, and C4. RESULTS: IL-2 in both groups decreased significantly at the end of CPB, postoperative day 1 and 4, but recovered the normal level at day 7 postoperatively. IL-2 in control group was significantly lower than that in the study group at each time points at the end of CPB and day 1 and 4 postoperatively. TNF-alpha in two groups was both elevated at the time points cited above, and in the study group, recovery of normal TNF-alpha level occurred at day 7 postoperatively, whereas in the control group, the recovery was not achieved until postoperative day 14. C3 in the study group was significantly lower at the time points of the end of CPB, day 1, 7 postoperatively than that in control group, but both elevated above normal at the end of CPB, day 1, and 4 postoperatively; in the study group, C3 became normal at day 7 postoperatively, which occurred in the control group only till day 14 postoperatively. At the end of CPB and day 1 postoperatively, C4 was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group, both below the level measured preoperatively at the time points of the end of CPB, day 1 and 4 postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Open-heart surgery under normothermic CPB has less detrimental influence on cytokines and complements than the operation under hypothermic CPB for better recovery of the patient.

[Effects of hypothermia on cerebral oxygen metabolism in patients with mitral valve replacement].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of mild to moderate hypothermia on cerebral oxygen metabolism in patients with mitral valve replacement. METHODS: Twenty patients undergoing mitral valve replacement were randomly divided in mild (30 ) and moderate (26 degrees Celsius) hypothermia groups. Under alpha stat, the oxygen content and the concentration of lactic acid in the radial artery and jugular venous bulb were monitored in patients undergoing mitral valve replacement at mild and moderate hypothermia respectively. The arterial-venous difference of oxygen content, oxygen uptake rate, and blood lactic acid levels in the cerebrum and total body were calculated. The effect of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) under the two hypothermia strategies on cerebral oxygen metabolism was analyzed. RESULTS: In the two groups, arterial-venous differences and oxygen uptake rates were both decreased after the commencement of cardiopulmonary bypass, and were rapidly elevated during rewarming. In mild hypothermia group, the arterial-jugular venous difference and oxygen uptake were higher than those in moderate hypothermia group (P<0.05) during CPB when the lowest temperature was reached. The concentration of lactic acid in the plasma was progressively increased in both groups during CPB. Arterial-venous difference in the oxygen content in both groups was still lower during CPB than before CPB(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Mild and moderate hypothermia during CPB is sufficient to retain the balance of cerebral oxygen metabolism, and more intensive hypothermia may not ensure better cerebral protective effect. Cerebral oxygenation progressively increases after CPB under hypothermia, but whether imbalance of cerebral oxygen metabolism occurs needs further investigation.